Grout Cleaners And Some Grout Cleaning Facts To Make Your Life Easier

Grout is a thin line of substance between your tiles stone slabs on your floor and on your walls. It is necessary really, so your tiles stick together and form a solid surface. Thickness of grout lines vary and are dependent on the type and quality of materials that you use. Cheap tiles require a larger grout line, as the tiles not exactly the same size, hence a thicker grout line would be a lot more forgiving than a thinner line needed for high-end flooring such as stone. The thinner the grout line, the less cleaning it will require, as there will be a much smaller surface to soak in and show dirt. The time it takes for the grout to get dirty also depends on the color of the grout and the type of grout used. For obvious reasons, light colors will show dirt quicker than darker grout lines.

This of course brings us to an important point - choosing the right grout for your job. If your grout line is less than 1/8" or for an even better installation, smaller than 1/16", use non sanded grout and try to match the color of your flooring or wall tiles. Anything larger, you will want to use sanded grout, which will not crack so easily, however, will in turn provide a rough surface, which will provide a surface for dirt to cling to. Using an epoxy grout is the best way to go, as it is not only stronger but has dirt and stain repellent feature. Epoxy grout is however expensive and often times not financially feasible. Sealing your grout is of course another option for providing protection, but it works best if you are installing stone flooring, which will have to be sealed together with your grout.

Grout cleaning is one of the most disliked chores for those having tile or stone floors. The fact is, tile and stone flooring is non-porous, but the grout is super absorbent, so washing your flooring is really your primary reason why your grout lines get dirty. As the floor is being washed, the water gets dirtier, leaving residue on your grout line that simply soaks in leaving a dark-by-the-day line separating your tiles. You can really see the dirt build-up when you compare coloration (discoloration) between heavy traffic areas and those around the perimeter of the room and areas covered by rugs and furniture. There are a few things that you can do to prevent, or rather, delay, dirt accumulation in grout line:

The very first thing to do before you mop is to sweep and vacuum. Getting rid of a lot of the surface dirt will keep your water clean longer and will reduce grout staining.

Change your water frequently. The cleaner the water is, the less it will stain grout.

Try not to allow excess water to sit too long before it is wiped and soaked up. The longer dirty water sits on the grout, the more it will get absorbed into the porous grout.

You may have to use commercial grout cleaners, and there is a great variety available on the market. Now, the grout gets dirty in different ways, based on the location in your house. Bathrooms will be more prone to mildew whereas kitchen and living space grout will be more likely to be stained by food stains and general traffic grime. Try to use vinegar or baking soda first before moving to some of the commercial cleaners. Try to use the least acidic cleaner first and if necessary move to harsher chemicals if the first does not work. With heavy-duty commercial cleaners, makes sure that the product is PH balanced. You do not want the grout eroded with time. Hydrogen Peroxide or Chlorine Bleach will be your last resort, making sure that the product is diluted as instructed. A word of advice though - do not use bleach on colored grout as they will fade and eventually destroy its color. Use a good strong brush and make sure you wear gloves and eye protection. Testing the cleaner in a small and hidden spot is a good idea.

When undertaking a major clean up of your grout, it is a good idea to re-seal it with a commercial grout sealer. In fact, sealing once a year is a good idea.

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